The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that Americans don't have a constitutional right to carry concealed guns in public.Gun advocates on the Central Coast and across the country were not happy about the ruling.Edward Peruta filed a legal challenge in 2009 over the San Diego County sheriff's refusal to issue him a permit. Peruta said at the time he wanted a weapon to protect himself, but the sheriff said he needed a better reason.Peruta challenged the law and argued that it violated the Constitution.The vote was 7-4 and also meant that California law enforcement officials can require applicants to show "good cause" before issuing a permit to carry a concealed weapon.The ruling overturned a 2014 decision by a three-judge panel of the same court that said applicants need only express a desire for personal safety.The ruling will have implications across the state, but in Monterey County, it won't change much under the current sheriff."They've always required good cause, and it is up to the sheriff to decide what the good cause statement will be," said Ray Parga, a gunsmith in Marina.Undersheriff Mike Moore confirmed the department already asks for good cause.But what constitutes good cause is up to the sheriff."They're doing a pretty decent job right now. You know, getting a CCW is not like going to the candy machine and getting whatever you want out of it," Parga said.Qualifying reasons can include people who are being stalked or threatened, celebrities who fear for their safety, and those who routinely carry large amounts of cash or other valuables.However, Moore said personal protection satisfies good cause."The sheriff, at this point, is personal protection," Moore said about Sheriff Steve Bernal's stance.In San Benito County, the sheriff's office has a similar point of view."We're in support of a person's right to carry a concealed weapons if they show good cause," said Operations Capt. Eric Taylor.Taylor said in rural counties sheriffs may be more open to allowing civilians to carry concealed weapons, because response times for law enforcement are longer than in more densely populated areas.Taylor said they do still ask for good cause, and getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon is a long process.Applicants often wait up to six months. They have to go through a background check, take a lengthy class, sit down with a deputy for an interview, and their employers and neighbors are interviewed, too.But some gun advocates fear the court ruling could have an impact down the road."If we were to get a sheriff into office that was not pro-CCW, he could absolutely clamp or deny CCWs, and he could use this court case as his justification," said David Wasson, a firearms instructor with 831 Shooter.Wasson said the ruling infringed on the Second Amendment, and he said in neighboring counties getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon is already difficult."Santa Cruz County is extremely prohibited; they do occasionally issue civilian CCWs, but it is very, very rare," said Wasson.Santa Cruz County did not return multiple requests for comment on this story.While Second Amendment advocates are feeling the blow from the ruling, pro-gun control activists are hailing it."This is a significant victory for public safety and for local jurisdictions that apply sensible policies to protect the public," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., about the ruling.But others feel like it is one more rule to add to the long list of rules for California gun owners."It has gotten to the point now where it is almost a crime to protect yourself however you see fit, you know. It's become such a nanny state in California, you know. No, just stand there and take it," Parga said.Wasson said he hopes the decision is appealed and goes before the Supreme Court.

MARINA, Calif. —

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that Americans don't have a constitutional right to carry concealed guns in public.

Gun advocates on the Central Coast and across the country were not happy about the ruling.

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Edward Peruta filed a legal challenge in 2009 over the San Diego County sheriff's refusal to issue him a permit. Peruta said at the time he wanted a weapon to protect himself, but the sheriff said he needed a better reason.

Peruta challenged the law and argued that it violated the Constitution.

The vote was 7-4 and also meant that California law enforcement officials can require applicants to show "good cause" before issuing a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

The ruling overturned a 2014 decision by a three-judge panel of the same court that said applicants need only express a desire for personal safety.

The ruling will have implications across the state, but in Monterey County, it won't change much under the current sheriff.

"They've always required good cause, and it is up to the sheriff to decide what the good cause statement will be," said Ray Parga, a gunsmith in Marina.

"They're doing a pretty decent job right now. You know, getting a CCW is not like going to the candy machine and getting whatever you want out of it," Parga said.

Qualifying reasons can include people who are being stalked or threatened, celebrities who fear for their safety, and those who routinely carry large amounts of cash or other valuables.

However, Moore said personal protection satisfies good cause.

"The sheriff, at this point, is personal protection," Moore said about Sheriff Steve Bernal's stance.

In San Benito County, the sheriff's office has a similar point of view.

"We're in support of a person's right to carry a concealed weapons if they show good cause," said Operations Capt. Eric Taylor.

Taylor said in rural counties sheriffs may be more open to allowing civilians to carry concealed weapons, because response times for law enforcement are longer than in more densely populated areas.

Taylor said they do still ask for good cause, and getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon is a long process.

Applicants often wait up to six months. They have to go through a background check, take a lengthy class, sit down with a deputy for an interview, and their employers and neighbors are interviewed, too.

But some gun advocates fear the court ruling could have an impact down the road.

"If we were to get a sheriff into office that was not pro-CCW, he could absolutely clamp or deny CCWs, and he could use this court case as his justification," said David Wasson, a firearms instructor with 831 Shooter.

Wasson said the ruling infringed on the Second Amendment, and he said in neighboring counties getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon is already difficult.

"Santa Cruz County is extremely prohibited; they do occasionally issue civilian CCWs, but it is very, very rare," said Wasson.

Santa Cruz County did not return multiple requests for comment on this story.

While Second Amendment advocates are feeling the blow from the ruling, pro-gun control activists are hailing it.

"This is a significant victory for public safety and for local jurisdictions that apply sensible policies to protect the public," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., about the ruling.

But others feel like it is one more rule to add to the long list of rules for California gun owners.

"It has gotten to the point now where it is almost a crime to protect yourself however you see fit, you know. It's become such a nanny state in California, you know. No, just stand there and take it," Parga said.

Wasson said he hopes the decision is appealed and goes before the Supreme Court.